Inside a Lost African Tribe Still Living in India Today

In the dense forests of South Asia, a native African tribe has been living in quiet obscurity for more than 500 years. Known as the Siddis, their ancestors originated from the Great Lakes region before being captured and brought to India as Arab slaves. When slavery was outlawed in the 18th and 19th centuries, the Siddis feared persecution and retreated into the forests, where they have been living ever since. Today, the Siddi people are considered to be in the lowest bracket of the Hindu caste system—the Sudras, or the "untouchables.” In this short film by photographer and filmmaker Asha Stuart, get a rare look inside the Siddi tribal villages and explore the cultural diversity of this African-Diaspora community.

The Short Film Showcase spotlights exceptional short videos created by filmmakers from around the world and selected by National Geographic editors. We look for work that affirms National Geographic's belief in the power of science, exploration, and storytelling to change the world. The filmmakers created the content presented, and the opinions expressed are their own, not those of National Geographic Partners.

Inside a Lost African Tribe Still Living in India Today

In the dense forests of South Asia, a native African tribe has been living in quiet obscurity for more than 500 years. Known as the Siddis, their ancestors originated from the Great Lakes region before being captured and brought to India as Arab slaves. When slavery was outlawed in the 18th and 19th centuries, the Siddis feared persecution and retreated into the forests, where they have been living ever since. Today, the Siddi people are considered to be in the lowest bracket of the Hindu caste system—the Sudras, or the "untouchables.” In this short film by photographer and filmmaker Asha Stuart, get a rare look inside the Siddi tribal villages and explore the cultural diversity of this African-Diaspora community.

The Short Film Showcase spotlights exceptional short videos created by filmmakers from around the world and selected by National Geographic editors. We look for work that affirms National Geographic's belief in the power of science, exploration, and storytelling to change the world. The filmmakers created the content presented, and the opinions expressed are their own, not those of National Geographic Partners.